One key runner to note in each of ITV's six races on day three of Royal Ascot

Sir Dragonet
1.50 Royal Ascot
Wolferton Stakes (Listed), 1m2f

Who would have guessed when Sir Dragonet bolted up by eight lengths in the Chester Vase last year that he would not win again in the next 13 months?

That would have been a surprise to those who backed him in to favourite for the Derby, in which he finished fifth behind Anthony Van Dyck, and a rude shock to those who were on at 8-15 for his reappearance defeat at Naas in March.

So he is on a recovery mission in a race taken by subsequent Group 1 winner Addeybb last year.

King Leonidas
2.25 Royal Ascot
Jersey Stakes (Group 3), 7f

Frankie Dettori has not won this since 2004 and the most recent of John Gosden's victories came in 2000 but the pair could land an overdue success with the unbeaten King Leonidas.

He made a stylish winning debut at Newmarket in October and looked ripe for a step up in class when following up there this month.

King Leonidas makes it two wins from two runs with a stylish success at NewmarketCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Modern News
3.00 Royal AscotChesham Stakes (Listed), 7f

Champion juvenile Pinatubo took this last year and 12 months on Charlie Appleby runs another potential Godolphin star in Modern News.

He was taking on 3.6 million gns stablemate Noble Dynasty on his debut in a 6f maiden at Newmarket and put him in his place, keeping on gamely to beat that rival by a neck.

Modern News promises to be ideally suited by this step up to 7f.

Modern News (red cap) gets the better of stablemate Noble Dynasty (black cap) at NewmarketCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Stradivarius
3.35 Royal AscotGold Cup (Group 1), 2m4f

The lack of a crowd has not stopped Frankie Dettori from making a flying dismount this week and he will leap higher than ever if Stradivarius triumphs.

This hugely popular stayer has landed the Gold Cup for the last two years and bids to become the first three-time winner since Yeats's record-breaking sequence from 2006 to 2009.

Stradivarius is now six but looked as good as ever when warming up for this by finishing third over an inadequate trip of 1m4f at Newmarket this month.

Finest Sound
4.10 Royal AscotBritannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap), 1m

Simon Crisford enjoyed plenty of Royal Ascot success when racing manager for Godolphin and struck as a trainer with A'Ali last year.

Now he bids for a first joint triumph after son Ed's name was added to the training licence this season.

It should be a bold bid as their Finest Sound looked much improved when bolting up at Haydock on his first run after gelding and wind operations and carries just a 5lb penalty here.

Finest Sound scores impressively at HaydockCredit: David Davies/Pool via Getty Images

African Dream
4.40 Royal AscotSandringham Handicap, 1m

Kieran O'Neill bids for a first Royal Ascot win on ante-post favourite African Dream.

His mount has progressed with each of her three runs for John Gosden, winning a novice event at Lingfield in March and then going down by just a nose under a penalty on her turf debut at Newbury last week.

Thursday's Royal Ascot card and betting

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